The TOM Project
The TOM Project is an FSU student initiative created to battle SCA in honor of Toluwani (Tom) Idowu who passed away from SCA on April 29, 2020 at the age of 22. The historic project solidifies the legacy that Tom will leave behind for his community.
The Beginning of The TOM Project
Tom was a young man of many passions: Achieved regional finalist in Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship; Congressional award and recognition for various high school related projects in art and student government; Taekwondo black belt; W.B. Dubois Award; and FSU Dean’s List. He was a dedicated member of the Downtown Community Church and Westward Church, CRU, and Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) organizations.
Who was Tom
Making a Difference
The loss of this beloved member of the community prompted students to take matters into their own hands by using $200,000 of their own student government funds to start The TOM Project. This initiative included 5 major components:
Installed 51 new AEDs on campus (a 63% increase). This also made FSU the first Florida University with an AED in all of their dorms.
Established the only campus-wide governance team to maintain the AEDs in perpetuity
Provided free CPR and AED training for 1,500 students
Provided 300 free ECG (electrocardiogram) screenings for FSU students
Create a reverse account for maintenance of AEDs for the next 15+ years
This project will help undoubtedly help protect FSU students, faculty, staff, and visitors on the campus. While this project made massive strides in combatting SCA at FSU, we still look to expand this initiative further with more AEDs, more CPR and AED training, and more ECG heart screenings.
WWPF & The TOM Project
Who We Play For has played a critical role for implementing this project by providing FSU students the counsel and resources to execute an initiative of this magnitude. Today, Who We Play For remains a proud partner of The TOM Project.
AEDs Before The TOM Project
AEDs After The TOM Project
Donate Toward the TOM Project
All donations to Who We Play For goes directly to life-saving heart screenings, AED placements, research, and more to help eliminate sudden cardiac death in the young. For every $20 donated, we are able to provide 1 heart screening to a student. For every $6,000 donated, we are able to save a life.
Other Ways to Get Involved
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Social Advocacy
The simplest way for you to support our mission is by sharing about us on your social media.
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Heart Screenings
An ECG is one of the only ways to catch a life-threatening heart defect before SCA occurs. Have you been screened?
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AED Placement Programs
AEDs assist in life-saving, time-sensitive measures that must be taken when a person has a SCA event. Make sure your community has an AED.
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CPR Programs
Knowing CPR can help save a life. Check out the classes, programs, and other ways to learn more about CPR.
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Physicians
The physicians involved in WWPF help us to read ECGs from our participants and host ECGs in their offices.
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Xpress ECG Program
The first 12-lead ECG machine that can get shipped straight to your door in the United States. Test yourself and your family from your home.
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Classes & Webinars
Our team of experts give lectures across the country and online advocating for the research and technology needed to fight SCA.
